Theft from Girl Scouts alleged

August 27, 2014

LISBON - One of two people charged in the theft of a large amount of money from the Girl Scouts of America Troop 800 in the Salineville area was bound over to the Columbiana County Common Pleas Court grand jury on Tuesday.

Denise D. Everhart, 36, Monroeville Heights, Salineville, waived her right to a preliminary hearing in Columbiana County Municipal Court and was bound over on charges of theft and falsification.

Everhart is accused of withdrawing $15,176 from a bank account belonging to the Girl Scouts of America to pay personal expenses and previously filing a false report with police claiming there was fraudulent activity on the account.

According to Police Chief Andrew Straley, Everhart, who was involved with the local Girl Scout troop, filed a stolen credit card report on Aug. 9 claiming the organization's card was gone.

Police began investigating the missing card, but video surveillance from a local bank showed Everhart and co-defendant Timothy McCourt were making transactions using the card. The two are alleged to have made 54 transactions utilizing the card over a 37-day time period withdrawing just over $15,176. Police believe Everhart used some of the money to buy cigarettes, gas and a puppy.

Straley said the case remains under investigation with the possibility of a third person being charged with involvement in the crime.

McCourt, 31, Second Street, Bergholz, is charged with misuse of credit cards, theft and falsification. He is scheduled to be in County Municipal Court on Thursday for a preliminary hearing.

Bond for McCourt is set at $10,000 cash or surety, while Everhart was released last week on a $2,500 surety bond.